We pulled to the side of Route 31, mainly meaning to scout out this place and evaluate where we'd enter if we decided to venture in. My partner in crime had been there as a reckless teenager - He and his two friends stormed in, ran around, and then went out for burgers wearing hard hats and looking cool.

We stopped at the driveway to the plant, and he played with our cell phone for a minute, looking occupied, and then traffic stopped. Nobody on either side of the highway - Just a dead halt of the carflow. We pulled into the parking area, behind one of the main buildings and well out of view of any passers-by.

The closest building was guarded by nothing more harmful than a pile of beer bottles and roofing debris, so we made our way in effortlessly. There wasn't much to see inside - The first room was filled with desks, drawers, and file cabinets, all of which were open. Some drawers held bottles, but most held nothing. Seems my other half wasn't the only reckless teenager who passed through this building, and the generations that followed him were much more destructive. Ceiling tiles hung in some of the side rooms, shelves lay on their side.. Even the toilets were disconnected from the walls.

As we make our way to the back door of the building so we can determine which building is next.. We see a blond Ford pickup pulling up in front of the door. Paranoia ensues. I tell my other half that we're looking for our puppy, and he walks out the door holding his hands in the universal "we're not armed!" stance. As I dart for the car, he approaches the guy, who still sits in his truck. This is the conversation that happens.

"Y'all own this here place?" "Nah, we were just taking pictures." "Aww, damn. I was just back here smokin' a joint and I figured I'd find the owner and ask him if he wants me to cut up them buildings for scrap. Y'all know who owns this place?" "No, we were just taking pictures - I'd been up here a few years ago, and it was pretty cool.. It's pretty trashy now." "Y'all from around.." He pauses, and looks at our out-of-state lisence plates.. "Where y'all from?" "We're from Pennsylvania.. I'm originally from Payne Springs though.. We were back in town doing some visiting." "Ahh.. I was born in Athens, not too far from here. Well, I'd best be gettin'! Have a good day y'all!"

This is the part where we breathed big sighs of relief, and got the hell outta there. After this, it was decided that we should just make our way to Corsicana to check out the abandoned orphanarium, rather than hang out in Stonerville any longer. The other buildings looked just as easy to get into, and if the opportunity arises, we may make a return trip if we have a chance while in town.